Dehydrating Food

Dehydrating food means taking the water out of it. Without water, the tiny germs that make food go bad cannot grow. People have been drying food in the sun for thousands of years. Today, special machines called dehydrators can dry food faster and more evenly.

How Dehydrating Works

Food is mostly made of water. When you remove that water, the food shrinks and becomes lighter. Fruits become chewy like raisins. Meat becomes jerky. The food keeps most of its nutrients and flavor even after the water is gone. Dehydrated food can last for months or even years without a refrigerator.

Dried Foods We Eat

Many foods you eat every day are dehydrated. Raisins are just dried grapes. Beef jerky is dried meat. Dried herbs and spices have had their water removed to keep them fresh longer. Astronauts eat freeze-dried food in space because it is lightweight and lasts a long time. Trail mix often includes dried fruits like cranberries and apricots.

Fun Facts

• Raisins are just grapes that have been dried in the sun.
• It takes about four pounds of grapes to make one pound of raisins.
• Astronauts on the International Space Station eat freeze-dried meals that only need hot water added.

Did You Know?

Ancient Egyptians dried fish and poultry in the hot desert sun over 4,000 years ago!